Speaking to reporters today ahead of the Executive Council meeting, Mr Cheung said the Transport Department deployed manpower overnight to set up directional signboards and display more information on various digital screens at crucial vantage points for motorists.

“On the Central-Wan Chai Bypass congestion, I would use the words ‘teething problems’ on the first day.

“I’m sure that given time, and also with the completion in a month’s time of the access road, the link road between Rumsey Street and also the access road itself, the bypass itself, the situation will further improve,” he said.

The Government is firmly committed to protecting the rights of foreign domestic helpers, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong said in Indonesia today.

Dr Law, in his meeting with Indonesia’s Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri in Jakarta, said Hong Kong families are thankful for the contributions of more than 165,000 Indonesian domestic helpers.

He added they help relieve household chores and take care of the elderly and children, thereby unleashing the potential of the local labour force.

Noting that Hong Kong is one of the few places that grant foreign domestic helpers statutory labour protections that are on par with those enjoyed by local workers, Dr Law said he looks forward to strengthening collaboration with the Indonesian Government to further protect their rights in the city.

Dr Law also met representatives of the National Board for the Placement & Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers and the Association of Migrant Worker Placement Companies and exchanged views on the recruitment of domestic helpers from Indonesia and regulation of employment agencies.

He assured the Indonesian Government that a Code of Practice for Employment Agencies is in place to regulate their operation in Hong Kong.

The code states that such agencies must not get involved in foreign domestic helpers’ financial affairs or keep their passports without explicit consent.

Dr Law also said the Labour Department will introduce an initial screening mechanism this year for early identification of foreign domestic helpers suspected of being exploited.

He added a round-the-clock hotline was launched in December with interpretation service to provide support to the helpers.

Dr Law also met the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Xiao Qian to update him on recent developments in Hong Kong, and will attend a dinner gathering with Hong Kong people doing business in the country.

The Transport Department today said traffic will improve once drivers get familiar with new routes following the opening of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass & Island Eastern Corridor Link, and offered tips for motorists.

The department said that eastbound traffic at the Rumsey Street Flyover was a bit busy and noted that most drivers used the left lane to access the Central area via Man Po Street.

It reminded drivers that the middle lane can also be used to access Man Po Street.

“I think (after) most of the motorists get familiar with the new routing, the traffic condition will be further improved,” the department’s Chief Traffic Engineer (Hong Kong) Leung Siu-kong said.

“We have mobilised our staff to observe the traffic condition at most of the junctions in the busy area and adjust the traffic signal lighting to facilitate those motorists to cross the junction.

“We anticipate that in the coming afternoon peak hours, the traffic condition will be a bit busier, particularly for the western bound traffic.”

He suggested drivers use the original routing via Gloucester Road, Harcourt Road and Connaught Road Central to access Central & Western District.

“This morning, the traffic from the Western Harbour Crossing leading to the Connaught Road flyover to Central direction was relatively busy, so we suggest the road users can still use the ground level road network.”

Mr Lee added drivers should not illegally cross the double white lines and be careful when changing lanes.

Secondary 4 and 5 students in the 2018-19 academic year are invited to apply for the Be a Government Official for a Day programme 2019 – Heads of Departments edition.

The programme, to be held in April, will give priority to students in the Diploma of Secondary Education curriculum.

Selected students will be given the opportunity to shadow a senior government official on the job for a day to gain a better understanding of the Government’s operation.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced in the 2018 Policy Address that the programme would be expanded this year to include more senior officials to benefit additional students.

Due to the expanded scale, the programme will be held in two phases. Officials participating in this phase will include Under Secretaries, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung said the inaugural programme last year fully reflected the Government’s commitment to enhance its connection with young people.

He said: “The expanded programme will provide additional opportunities for senior government officials to directly interact with senior secondary students. I encourage students to seize this invaluable opportunity by applying for this inspiring programme.”

The completed application forms and school recommendations should be sent by email on or before February 22.

The 2019 Rural Ordinary Election concluded on January 20 with an overall turnout rate of 60.68%.

Polls were held on three consecutive Sundays from January 6.

In the Village Representative Election held on the first two Sundays, there were 771 candidates contesting 397 seats, including 264 Indigenous Inhabitant Representatives and 133 Resident Representatives.

It saw an overall turnout rate of 61.57% with 52,611 voters casting their ballots.

In the Kaifong Representative Election held yesterday, there were 65 candidates contesting 39 Cheung Chau seats, with 3,553 voters having cast their votes, pushing the overall turnout rate to 50.01%.

In the three polling days, 36 prisoners or remanded unconvicted people had voted at dedicated polling stations.

There were 1,540 seats for the 2019 Rural Ordinary Election, with 998 candidates returned uncontested and 106 seats left vacant with no nomination.

There were 195,476 eligible registered electorsin the Village Representative Election and 9,542 in the Kaifong Representative Election.

The 2019 Rural Ordinary Election concluded on January 20 with an overall turnout rate of 60.68%.

Polls were held on three consecutive Sundays from January 6.

In the Village Representative Election held on the first two Sundays, there were 771 candidates contesting 397 seats, including 264 Indigenous Inhabitant Representatives and 133 Resident Representatives.

It saw an overall turnout rate of 61.57% with 52,611 voters casting their ballots.

In the Kaifong Representative Election held yesterday, there were 65 candidates contesting 39 Cheung Chau seats, with 3,553 voters having cast their votes, pushing the overall turnout rate to 50.01%.

In the three polling days, 36 prisoners or remanded unconvicted people had voted at dedicated polling stations.

There were 1,540 seats for the 2019 Rural Ordinary Election, with 998 candidates returned uncontested and 106 seats left vacant with no nomination.

There were 195,476 eligible registered electorsin the Village Representative Election and 9,542 in the Kaifong Representative Election.

It is heartening to be here with you all today to celebrate the grand opening of the Xiqu Centre, the first major performance venue of the West Kowloon Cultural District. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to serve the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District since its early days in my various positions.

As time goes by, it is clear to me and many people that the West Kowloon Cultural District is of huge significance to Hong Kong, and its contribution will go beyond arts and culture. Its success will enrich our quality of life, complement our economic vitality, and elevate the status of Hong Kong to among the great cities of the world.

As in all world class cultural projects around the world in history, delivering this ambitious West Kowloon Cultural District project is no easy task. I wish to thank the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, the architects and contractors, and many parties involved in bringing Hong Kong’s first venue tailored to the artistic needs of the rich traditional Chinese art form of xiqu to fruition.

I would like to take this opportunity to pay particular tribute to the late Bing Thom, the lead architect of this project. Bing was born in Hong Kong, and the Xiqu Centre is his homecoming project. We are indebted to him for his exquisite work which has greatly enriched Hong Kong’s architectural scene. On the opening of this gem, I believe that everyone who has contributed to the project would share his thought: “I like to empower everyone. If you walk here and feel a little taller, I am happy.” This quote from Bing is now engraved on the sitting area in the Xiqu atrium.

Let’s work together to take Cantonese opera and the xiqu art form as a whole to the next level and to the global stage through this Xiqu Centre. And let’s look forward to the commissioning of more world-class facilities in the West Kowloon Cultural District very soon. Thank you very much.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam gave these remarks at the opening ceremony for the Xiqu Centre at the West Kowloon Cultural District on January 20.

Secretary for Home Affairs Lau Kong-wah today visited the polling station for the Kaifong Representative Election for Cheung Chau Market Town.

Today is the last polling day of the 2019 Rural Ordinary Election, which covers two types of rural representatives, Village Representatives and Kaifong Representatives.

Today is the polling day of the Kaifong Representative Election while the Village Representative Election was conducted on two Sundays on January 6 and 13.

Mr Lau said: “I am delighted to see the Kaifong Representative Election is properly arranged. I believe today’s election will be held smoothly.”

There are 82 validly nominated candidates in the Kaifong Representative Election, 65 candidates from Cheung Chau Market Town contested 39 seats, while 17 candidates from Peng Chau Market Town were returned uncontested.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau will attend the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Ministerial Gathering and meetings and events held during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, from January 22 to 26.

Mr Yau will speak at a panel discussion entitled “Building the Belt & Road and sharing the benefits of the economic globalisation” at the Belt & Road Forum hosted by Tsinghua University, International Cooperation Center of the National Development & Reform Commission, United Nations Industrial Development Organization and United Nations Institute for Training & Research, and co-organised by the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau.

He will meet other trade ministers and business leaders attending the events to discuss issues relating to forging closer economic and trade ties. He will also join part of Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s visit programme.

Held on the margins of the WEF on January 25, the WTO Informal Ministerial Gathering provides an opportunity for participating ministers to discuss the latest global trade developments and brainstorm ways to advance the trade agenda and preserve the relevance and credibility of the multilateral trading system.

Before the Informal Ministerial Gathering, Mr Yau will attend the Informal Ministerial Meeting on Electronic Commerce to explore with other ministers on how WTO negotiations can capture opportunities offered by electronic commerce for all WTO Members.

In his absence, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will be Acting Secretary.

It is curtain up for the Xiqu Centre on January 20. The West Kowloon Cultural District’s first landmark performing arts venue will offer audiences a unique opera-going experience. The arts hub is reviving an old tradition by bringing together Cantonese opera and tea-drinking at its Tea House Theatre.

To recreate the warm, authentic atmosphere of Hong Kong’s early 20th century tea houses, audiences are served traditional tea and dim sum during the performance.

The Tea House Theatre at the Xiqu Centre is specially designed to introduce new audiences to Chinese traditional theatre.

The 90-minute performances, presented by the theatre’s own Tea House Rising Stars Troupe, will feature a selection of short excerpts to showcase a range of vocal and music styles.

The performances are in Cantonese, but all audiences are accommodated for. Chinese and English subtitles are provided, while student matinees and programmes for tour groups with narration in English or Mandarin are also available on request.

Rising stars

“The Tea House Theatre is a totally new concept for Hong Kong. We have a small theatre with a contemporary Chinese theatre setting, which can accommodate from 150 to 200 (capacity) audiences,” noted West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Executive Director of Performing Arts Louis Yu.

He added that Hong Kong not only gains a new leisure and cultural destination, but also a place where the next generation of Cantonese opera talent can develop their skills.

“This is a very important platform for us to nurture the new generation of Cantonese opera stars. We hope that by providing this platform, our next generation of Cantonese opera stars will develop their artistry and gain the audience’s support.”

A group of younger generation Cantonese opera practitioners will perform from Wednesday to Sunday every week, Mr Yu added.

Alan Tam is part of that younger generation. He is a Cantonese opera actor with the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe. The 25-year-old found his calling at the tender age of three when he started singing Cantonese opera.

“When I was young I liked the actors’ accessories. I do love performing. I joined the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe so that I could perform for audiences. Performing in the Tea House Theatre every week also helps to improve my skills.”

Mr Tam also hopes that as a young Cantonese opera actor, he can help attract a younger audience.

Ultimate venue

The city’s first venue dedicated to the development of Chinese opera not only houses the more intimate Tea House Theatre but also a Grand Theatre, accommodating 1,073 seats, eight professional studios and a seminar hall. All the facilities are specially designed for different types of Chinese opera-related functions and activities, while providing state-of-the-art equipment for staging world-class productions.

There are high hopes for the Xiqu Centre’s place on the world stage and for it to become the ultimate performance destination in Hong Kong for Chinese opera practitioners.

“I want the Xiqu Centre to gain this kind of status. So that all good performers in Hong Kong and from all over China will wish and will dream that they will one day have the opportunity to perform in the Grand Theatre of the Xiqu Centre,” said Mr Yu.

The centre also provides guided tours in Cantonese, English and Mandarin to help visitors explore the facilities, learn about its architectural and design features, and discover fascinating facts about the culture and stories behind the art of Chinese opera.

The Government will review the maximum amount of disregarded earnings for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients by the end of this year.

Speaking to reporters in Guangzhou today, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung said that the current $2,500 maximum level of disregarded earnings was set 16 years ago and it should be reviewed to reflect factors including economic changes, the minimum wage and an increase of salaries.

He said the Government hopes the maximum amount of disregarded earnings could be raised as soon as possible to increase the actual income for CSSA recipients who are employed and are aged between 60 and 64.

Mr Cheung reaffirmed that the new Employment Support Supplement that provides able-bodied CSSA recipients aged between 60 and 64 can help to encourage employment.

A total of 1,202 flight movements were handled at Hong Kong International Airport and the department also provided air traffic control services for 1,140 overflights, which do not take off or land at the airport.

The previous single-day record of 2,341 flight movements was recorded on August 24, 2017, after the airport recovered from the impact of Super Typhoon Hato.

“In the past, record movements were usually set before or after long holidays and festive occasions, or after typhoons due to traffic backlogs.

“This time, a record was set even though there was no overnight operation of both runways yesterday, which attests to the strong demand for air traffic,” Director-General of Civil Aviation Simon Li said.

The total number of aircraft movements handled by the department in 2018 increased 7.1% as compared with the previous year, he added.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong will visit Jakarta to meet Indonesian senior government officials for a two-day trip starting tomorrow.

They will exchange views and strengthen cooperation in enhancing protection of Indonesian domestic helpers in Hong Kong.

He will also meet Indonesian Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri.

During his trip, Dr Law will also meet the National Board for the Placement & Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers, an employment agencies association and will visit a training centre foreign domestic helpers.

He will also call on the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Xiao Qian.

During his absence, Under Secretary for Labour & Welfare Caspar Tsui will be Acting Secretary.

Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan has called on lawmakers to support a Government motion on January 23 on implementing the toll adjustment proposal.

The motion is regarding the Government’s proposal to adjust the tolls of private cars, taxis and motorcycles for using the three road harbour crossings from January 1 next year to rationalise cross-harbour traffic.

Speaking to reporters today, Mr Chan said the Government is facing quite a challenge in convincing lawmakers to give their entire support but they are still working very hard on it.

“We will continue to work (hard) until next Wednesday with a hope to convince them to give us their support.

“Because what we are talking about is not just the rationalisation of toll fares for the three tunnels concerned. We are talking about the efficiency, the ease of transport.”

He added that just a modest change in toll pricing as suggested by some lawmakers will have less impact on drivers’ behaviours and congestion will continue.

“We have conducted a survey in respect of the inclination of drivers as to whether or not they would use the same tunnel or divert to use other tunnels and whether or not they would stop using that tunnel.

“Such a change of below $40 for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hung Hom and the Eastern Harbour Crossing would have less impact on their change of behaviour and consequently the queue length and also the delay congestion would be even much longer for the Hung Hom Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Harbour Crossing.”

He called on the lawmakers to support the motion, otherwise citizens may have to wait until 2023.

Forty-four children and adolescents under guardianship were commended at a ceremony today for their remarkable achievements and improvements in academic studies, conduct, sports, arts and voluntary services last year.

They are wards of the Director of Social Welfare or receive residential care services from the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.

Speaking at the ceremony, Director of Social Welfare Carol Yip commended the awardees for overcoming difficulties.

She encouraged them to continue striving to attain their goals.

She also thanked their relatives, carers, volunteers and social workers for their care and support.

Tsz-yin, a 10-year-old boy, was presented with a Best Achievement Award. He was admitted to a small group home as his parents passed away due to illness several years ago.

He not only managed to adapt quickly to the environment of the small group home, but also made outstanding achievements in academic and extra-curricular activities.

He would like to pursue a career as a firefighter to save lives and contribute to society.

Another awardee, a 16-year-old girl with the pseudonym Yuet, has spent her childhood in a foster family since she was three as her mother was unable to take care of her.

She has excelled in inter-school athletic competitions and was elected as a house captain in school.

Yuet also makes good use of her leisure time by volunteering to help the needy in the community and has received commendation for her service.

Arrangements will be made to allow more non-skilled workers employed by government service contractors to enjoy benefits that take effect from April, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today.

The benefits, announced by Mrs Lam in last year’s Policy Address for contracts awarded on or after April 1, will also apply to contracts that are awarded before that day to meet operational needs, or awarded on or after October 10, 2018 under pre-existing terms.

The initiatives that take effect from April 1 aim to enhance the protection of these workers in respect of their employment terms and conditions as well as labour benefits.

They include a 6% gratuity for non-skilled workers who have been employed by government service contractors continuously for a year or more.

These workers will also enjoy paid statutory holidays after being employed for at least a month and will receive 150% of their original pay if they are required to work when the typhoon signal No. 8 or above is hoisted.

The transitional arrangements will apply to about 120 government contracts, benefitting more than 10,000 non-skilled workers and involving more than $300 million.

On a one-off basis, the Government will provide top-up to its service contractors to cover additional expenses incurred.

The sports centre is the fifth one in the district and the 100th sports centre of the Leisure & Cultural Services Department.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Lau said its opening marks an important milestone in the Government’s promotion of sports development.

Not only can the centre provide a wide range of leisure and sports facilities, it can also host local, regional and international sports events to boost Hong Kong’s image as a sports events capital in Asia.

Mr Lau attributed the successful completion of the centre to the concerted efforts of the Tsuen Wan District Council, local organisations, the private developer for the project and government departments.

After officiating at the ceremony, Mrs Lam was briefed on the Energy Bikes installed at the centre’s ground floor lobby.

The department will set up more of the bikes, which allow users to charge their electronic devices while in use, at selected leisure venues to encourage the public to exercise more and to promote the use of renewable energy.

The Chief Executive also officiated at a basketball match held in the venue.

The four-storey Tsuen Wan Sports Centre occupies a total area of about 12,000 sq m.

Its multi-purpose main arena can be used as a basketball or volleyball court, or be split up into four badminton courts.

Ancillary facilities, such as a doping control room, are also available to facilitate the hosting of major local, regional and international sports events.

Other facilities include a table-tennis room, multi-purpose activity rooms, dance rooms and a fitness room with a full sea view.

More than 190 kindergartens and childcare centres that have reported outbreaks of seasonal influenza are urged to close for a week from tomorrow.

Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Wong Ka-hing made the recommendation at a press conference today, saying the decision was made after the Food & Health Bureau’s inter-departmental meeting yesterday, which was also attended by Prof KY Yuen of the University of Hong Kong.

“We noticed that the current influenza-like illness (ILI) outbreak among the kindergartens and childcare centres is at a very high level according to the moving epidemic method that we try to adopt this year.

“I think at the meeting we considered that it is appropriate to have this enhanced measure at the moment to try to interrupt the transmission that had occurred in a particular school.”

He noted the hospitalisation rate for children up to the age of 5 has remained at a high level since the second week of Hong Kong’s winter influenza season and that the flu activity level is expected to remain high in the coming few weeks.

Dr Wong added the Government will monitor and review the situation to decide if the measure would need to be continued until the start of the Chinese New Year holiday or beyond, and whether to further enhance it.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng has signed the Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition & Enforcement of Judgments in Civil & Commercial Matters between the Courts of the Mainland & of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Ms Cheng signed the pact with Vice-president of the Supreme People’s Court Yang Wanming in Beijing today.

It seeks to establish a bilateral legal mechanism with greater clarity and certainty for such matters between the two places.

The arrangement will reduce the need for re-litigation of the same disputes in both places and offer better protection to the interests of different parties.

Apart from furthering legal co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in civil and commercial matters, it will enhance the city’s status as a regional centre for international legal and dispute resolution services.

The arrangement also covers both monetary and non-monetary relief and sets out jurisdictional grounds for the purposes of recognition and enforcement as well as grounds for refusal of recognition and enforcement.

Non-judicial proceedings and judicial proceedings relating to administrative or regulatory matters are excluded from the arrangement.

It will be implemented by local legislation in Hong Kong and will take effect after both places have completed procedures to implement the arrangement, which will apply to judgments made on or after the commencement date.

I must say I’m delighted with the British Council’s pitch-perfect choice of venue. Tai Kwun, the former Central Police Station Compound, is now a centre for heritage and arts, a dynamic new Hong Kong cultural landmark. And Tai Kwun is not only the venue for SPARK but also the subject of a featured event. The UK’s Purcell, one of three architectural firms behind Tai Kwun’s revitalisation, will lead walking tours here, detailing how old and new have come together – and so remarkably well – at Tai Kwun.

The Tai Kwun architectural and heritage spotlight is one of more than 30 events taking place here over the next three days and nights. Each has been designed with surpassing creativity involving some 200 UK and Hong Kong artists, scientists, academia and innovators from more than 50 universities and cultural institutions.

I am truly impressed. Of course, it’s not the first time Hong Kong has been dazzled by British ingenuity. Just last March, Hong Kong’s Asia Society hosted the GREAT Festival of Innovation, smartly presented by the UK Department for International Trade. These and many other such events speak of the longstanding and long-rewarding relations that exist between the economies and the people of Hong Kong and the UK.

Such relations are set to get even closer in the future. I visited London in September 2017 as the Chief Executive to attend the Hong Kong Dinner, which is an annual tradition celebrating the ties that bind us in government and business, in culture, history, education and many other aspects. During my trip, I met with many senior government officials, members of parliament, businessmen, education professionals, etc, and set in motion many collaboration initiatives between Hong Kong and the UK. Last March, Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade, visited Hong Kong. Aside from opening the GREAT Festival of Innovation, Dr Fox signed a joint statement on closer collaboration in trade and economic matters with our Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau. Then, last September, Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung signed an MOU on Cultural Co-operation between Hong Kong and the UK while visiting London.

Last month, I officiated at the opening ceremony of an exhibition at the Hong Kong Science Museum. Treasures of Time is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Science Museum, London, and Beijing’s Palace Museum. The timely exhibition displays about 120 rare mechanical clocks and watches from the Palace Museum collection; most were tributes from Europe presented by Western missionaries to the Qing court. Among the exhibition highlights is a workshop depicting 18th century Europe. That workshop, I’m pleased to note, was brilliantly recreated with tools and equipment provided by the Science Museum, London. This fabulous exhibition illustrates that Hong Kong offers the best platform for cultural exchanges between East and West.

For SPARK, we have the British Council in Hong Kong to thank. The British Council has been instrumental in presenting the best of British culture and education in Hong Kong since 1948, more than 70 years ago. And I still vividly remember Antony Gormley’s Event Horizon, showcased here by the British Council and brought to us a few years ago, which truly amazed many with Sir Antony Gormley’s life-size sculptures. SPARK today is no exception. The Festival’s four themes – Creative Cities, Art meets Science, Altered Realities and Future Skills – have been designed for people of all ages. But they will no doubt resonate in particular with our youth, offering insight and inspiration that could well lead to creative career choices – in culture and the arts, the sciences and education. I have said on many occasions that Hong Kong’s future is predicated on our young people, their talent, their vision and their innovative spirit. So I am grateful to the British Council for bringing SPARK: The Science & Art of Creativity, to Hong Kong.

SPARK reflects Hong Kong-British co-operation at its finest. SPARK is about creating connections, about finding innovative ways for the people of Hong Kong and the UK to excel. I look forward to many more cultural exchanges between us.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam gave these remarks at the opening ceremony of SPARK: The Science & Art of Creativity on January 18.